Proposed MMA Legislation Could Hurt Smaller Shows

Last month the Illinois House of Representatives passed H.B. 1947 by a vote of 96-10. If the bill is approved by the Illinois Senate and governor, promoters of professional MMA shows would be required to obtain a minimum of $50,000 of insurance for each fighter and have at least $10,000 in liquid assets or a surety bond to ensure the show can meet its financial obligations. The bill would also prohibit promoters from also participating as trainers, fighters, referees or judges.

Illinois Boxing Commission spokeswoman Sue Hofer told InsideFighting.com that the purpose of the legislation is to ensure that MMA is carefully regulated in the state and on equal footing with boxing. “We want to treat MMA exactly the same as boxing in Illinois.”

JimiMak

4/18/07 4:43:11PM

I think this looks like a great step forward. Insurance costs a lot for small shows and all but these are the same type of guidelines as other states use. Boxing is the only precedent these states have to look at. Eventually it will be regulated in all states under "unified" rules anyway.